Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has been requested by Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan to add 14 Odisha communities, including the Khandayat community, to the government list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Pradhan claimed on social media platform X that he had written to Hansraj Ahir, the chairman of the NCBC, asking for the inclusion of the following communities in the Central OBC list: Khandayat, Paika, Chasa Paika, Alia, Paikali, Kalingi Shudra Khandayat, Mahanayak Shudra, Oda-Khandayat, Bayalisha, Oda, Oda Paika, Oda Paiko, Haladia Teli, and Rajashribalasi/Balasi.
Many communities in Odisha that are recognized as SEBC are not included in the central OBC list, Pradhan added, highlighting the discrepancy between the state and federal listings. As a result, he said, members of these communities are denied access to assistance programs, employment in central government occupations, and entrance to professional and educational institutions.
“Including these communities in the Central OBC list would promote their social and economic development and be an important step toward securing rights for this large social group in Odisha,” the minister added.
SEBC groups now have an 11.25 percent quota in state government jobs and higher education in Odisha. In contrast, the Center provides OBCs with a 27% reservation in central government jobs and educational institutions.
